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Getting Started with GLEC

Learn how to calculate, track, and report your logistics company’s carbon footprint using the GLEC v3.0 Framework (Global Logistics Emissions Council), fully aligned with ISO 14083.
Estimated time: 2 hoursWhat you’ll learn:
  • Understand the GLEC v3.0 Framework and its key concepts
  • Calculate transport emissions by transport mode (road, rail, maritime, air)
  • Configure logistics hubs and track hub operations
  • Record actual fuel consumption for carrier-level accuracy
  • Generate and interpret the GLEC company report (Scope 1/2/3)

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What is the GLEC Framework?

The GLEC Framework is the globally recognized methodology for calculating and reporting logistics greenhouse gas emissions across multi-modal supply chains. Developed by the Smart Freight Centre, it provides a standardized approach for:
  • Carriers (logistics service providers) to report emissions from their own fleet and hub operations
  • Shippers to understand the carbon footprint of goods transported on their behalf
  • Freight forwarders to allocate emissions across complex, multi-modal transport chains
GLEC v3.0 and ISO 14083The GLEC Framework v3.0 is fully harmonized with ISO 14083:2023 — the international standard for quantifying and reporting GHG emissions from transport operations. Dcycle implements both standards through the same Logistics API. References to “ISO 14083” and “GLEC v3.0” in the API are interchangeable.

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Key Concepts

┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                          GLEC v3.0 FRAMEWORK                                │
├──────────────────────────┬───────────────────────┬───────────────────────────┤
│  Transport Operations    │  Hub Operations       │  Company Report           │
│  (TOCs)                  │  (HOCs)               │  (Scopes 1/2/3)          │
├──────────────────────────┼───────────────────────┼───────────────────────────┤
│  • Road (trucks, vans)   │  • Warehouses         │  • Scope 1: TTW + Hubs   │
│  • Rail (freight)        │  • Cross-docking      │  • Scope 2: Hub energy   │
│  • Maritime (ships)      │  • Distribution ctrs  │  • Scope 3: WTT +        │
│  • Air (cargo, belly)    │  • Cold storage       │    Subcontracted + Hubs  │
├──────────────────────────┴───────────────────────┴───────────────────────────┤
│  Output: Intensity Values (gCO2e/tkm for transport, gCO2e/tonne for hubs)  │
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

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TOC (Transport Operation Category)

A TOC defines the vehicle type and fuel combination used for a transport leg. Each TOC has a WTW emission factor in kgCO2e per tonne-kilometer (tkm).
CategoryVehicle TypesExample TOCTypical WTW (kgCO2e/tkm)
RoadVan, rigid truck, articulated truck, tank truckvan_diesel, artic_truck_electric0.196 – 1.270
RailFreight traingeneric_average_rail0.025 – 0.030
MaritimeContainer, bulk carrier, tanker, ro-rogeneric_average_maritime0.008 – 0.020
AirFreighter, belly freightfreighter_average_air0.600 – 1.100

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HOC (Hub Operation Category)

A HOC defines the type of logistics hub and its default emission intensity in kgCO2e per tonne handled. Examples: transshipment_ambient, transshipment_mixed, cold_storage.

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WTW (Well-to-Wheel) Methodology

GLEC v3.0 uses Well-to-Wheel accounting, capturing the full lifecycle of fuel:
1

WTT (Well-to-Tank)

Upstream emissions: Extraction, refining, and distribution of fuel. Reported as Scope 3.
2

TTW (Tank-to-Wheel)

Direct emissions: Combustion of fuel in the vehicle. Reported as Scope 1 (own fleet) or Scope 3 (subcontracted).
3

WTW (Total)

Complete footprint: WTT + TTW. This is the default factor applied per TOC.CO2e = tkm x WTW emission factor

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Transport Intensity Value (IV)

The key metric in GLEC reporting. It measures emission efficiency: Transport Activity IV = Total transport emissions (gCO2e) / Total transport activity (tkm) A lower IV means more efficient transport operations.

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Distance Adjustment Factor (DAF)

GLEC requires converting actual route distances to Shortest Feasible Distance (SFD) using Distance Adjustment Factors:
ModeDAF RuleExample
RoadRoute distance x 0.95500 km route → 475 km SFD
MaritimeRoute distance x 0.851000 km route → 850 km SFD
AirGreat Circle Distance − 95 km2000 km GCD → 1905 km SFD
RailNo adjustment (1.0)300 km → 300 km SFD
Dcycle applies DAFs automatically when calculating distances from origin/destination addresses. If you provide distance_km directly, it is used as-is (assumed to be already adjusted).

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GLEC Calculation Flow

Shipment Data → Region Resolution → TOC Selection → Distance Calculation → Load Allocation → Emissions
     ↓                ↓                   ↓                  ↓                   ↓              ↓
  origin,         origin_country      vehicle_type       Geocoding +        load x factor    tkm x WTW
  destination,    → EU/NA/SA/AS       + region match     DAF applied        → kg             = kgCO2e
  load, toc       /AF/OC/GLO
Detailed steps:
  1. Resolve region from origin_country (e.g., ES → EU)
  2. Match TOC by vehicle type + region (priority: exact region > GLO > EU fallback)
  3. Calculate distance via geocoding + routing, then apply DAF — or use provided distance_km
  4. Convert load to kg (supports kg, ton, pallets, TEU, FEU)
  5. Compute tkm = load (tonnes) x distance (km)
  6. Calculate CO2e = tkm x WTW emission factor
  7. For electric vehicles: CO2e = tkm x grid emission factor x energy efficiency factor

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Who Needs GLEC?

You operate a fleet and/or logistics hubs. You need to:
  1. Track transport operations → Step 1: Transport Operations
  2. Configure and track hub emissions → Step 2: Hub Operations
  3. Record actual fuel consumption → Step 3: Fuel Consumption
  4. Generate the GLEC company report → Step 4: Reports
The company report breaks down your emissions into Scope 1 (own fleet TTW + owned hubs), Scope 2 (hub purchased energy), and Scope 3 (WTT + subcontracted transport + subcontracted hubs).

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Prerequisites

Before starting, ensure you have:
  • Dcycle API credentials (get them here)
  • Your organization set up in Dcycle with an organization_id
  • Shipment data: origins, destinations, weights, and vehicle types
Using the Dcycle App?You can also measure your logistics footprint through our web interface:

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Data Map: GLEC Requirements Overview

┌───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                        GLEC DATA REQUIREMENTS OVERVIEW                            │
├───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│                                                                                   │
│  ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │
│  │ Transport Operations (Step 1)                                               │ │
│  ├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤ │
│  │                                                                             │ │
│  │  Required               Optional                 Traceability              │ │
│  │  ────────               ────────                 ────────────              │ │
│  │  • origin OR distance   • origin_country          • movement_id            │ │
│  │  • destination           • load_factor             • client                 │ │
│  │  • toc OR category       • cleaning                • shipment_date          │ │
│  │  • load + load_unit      • year                    • package_key            │ │
│  │                          • subcontractor           • vehicle_license_plate  │ │
│  │                          • hub_id                  • movement_stretch       │ │
│  │                                                                             │ │
│  └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ │
│                                                                                   │
│  ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │
│  │ Hub Operations (Step 2)                                                     │ │
│  ├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤ │
│  │                                                                             │ │
│  │  Required               Optional                                           │ │
│  │  ────────               ────────                                           │ │
│  │  • name                  • facility_id (for owned hubs)                    │ │
│  │  • address               • supercharger                                    │ │
│  │  • type (owned/subcontracted)                                              │ │
│  │  • category (HOC type)                                                     │ │
│  │                                                                             │ │
│  └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ │
│                                                                                   │
│  ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │
│  │ Fuel Consumption (Step 3) — Carriers only                                   │ │
│  ├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤ │
│  │                                                                             │ │
│  │  Required               Optional                                           │ │
│  │  ────────               ────────                                           │ │
│  │  • fuel_type             • vehicle_license_plate                           │ │
│  │  • quantity              • country                                         │ │
│  │  • date                  • toc_id                                          │ │
│  │                                                                             │ │
│  └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ │
│                                                                                   │
└───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

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Quick Start: Your First Calculation

Calculate emissions for a single transport leg in under a minute: 
import requests
import os

headers = {
    "Authorization": f"Bearer {os.getenv('DCYCLE_API_KEY')}",
    "Content-Type": "application/json",
    "x-organization-id": os.getenv("DCYCLE_ORG_ID"),
    "x-user-id": os.getenv("DCYCLE_USER_ID"),
}

# Calculate a Madrid → Barcelona road shipment
shipment = {
    "origin": "Madrid, Spain",
    "destination": "Barcelona, Spain",
    "origin_country": "ES",
    "toc": "rigid_truck_diesel",
    "load": 5000,
    "load_unit": "kg",
    "year": 2025,
}

response = requests.post(
    "https://api.dcycle.io/v1/logistics/requests",
    headers=headers,
    json=shipment,
).json()

print(f"Distance: {response['distance_km']:.1f} km")
print(f"CO2e (WTW): {response['co2e']:.2f} kg")
print(f"TOC used: {response['toc']}")

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Step-by-Step Guides

Step 1: Transport Operations

Create transport legs, select TOCs, handle multi-modal chains, and bulk upload shipments

Step 2: Hub Operations

Configure logistics hubs, assign HOC categories, and track hub emissions

Step 3: Fuel Consumption

Record actual fuel consumption for carrier-level Scope 1 accuracy

Step 4: GLEC Reports

Generate the GLEC company report with Scope 1/2/3 breakdown and intensity values

Logistics API Reference

Complete API documentation for all logistics endpoints

Logistics & Transport Tutorial

General logistics tutorial with API-focused examples

GHG Protocol Tutorial

Corporate-wide emissions calculation (complements GLEC for non-transport sources)

Quickstart

Get your API key and set up your first organization